Proposed Law Would Require Coverage Of Epi-Pens

PROVIDENCE, RI — A West Bay lawmaker is calling for Rhode Islands insurers to completely cover the cost of epinephrine injectors, or EpiPens. The measure would help mediate the high cost of the injectors, which has prevented some people with allergies from getting the life-saving device.

In the event of an allergic reaction, EpiPens are used to deliver epinephrine into their body, stopping the reaction before it becomes life-threatening or fatal. Between 2009 and 2016, Mylan, the device's manufacturer, raised the price of injectors by about 500 percent. At the time, the company had a near-monopoly over epinephrine auto-injectors available to the public. Even with insurance coverage, some allergy sufferers pay more than $600 for an EpiPen twin-pack.

While allergic reactions can be quite rare, an EpiPen expires after about 18 months, meaning that a person could pay hundreds of dollars for a device that they never actually use, then pay again to replace it less than two years later.

The bill was introduced by House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi, who said no one deserves to put their life at risk because they can't afford an EpiPen.

"A lot of families simply can’t afford to spend $500 or $600 on an injector that they hope they’ll never use," Shekarchi said. "Unfortunately, that means a lot of those families have little choice but to take a chance on that hope, and go without this lifesaving medicine. No one should be put in that position."

If signed into law, the legislation would require all group health care providers and health insurers to include epinephrine injectors and cartridges under their prescription coverage, with no copay or deductible, starting next year.

"Epinephrine is an absolutely necessity for people whose lives are at risk from anaphylaxis, and it should be totally covered by insurance," Shekarchi continued. "Nothing should make a person with severe allergies take a chance on living without it."

Illinois was the first state to require this type of coverage, passing the new law last year.